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TechnographStudent Senate urges cities to move signing dates for leases to February
By Paul Biasco and Meghan O'Kelly
Posted: 4/22/08 Section: News
The main advantage of such a law would be that students would be more likely to get to know each other before signing a real estate contract together, Patt explained.
Finding roommates six short weeks into the semester can spell disaster for students who study abroad, develop roommate problems or do not end up returning to campus.
"For freshmen, this is really vital," Patt said.
Patt added that another problem with the current leasing situation is that many landlords are still distributing the previous tenants' security deposits when it is time to start showing again.
"I know there are landlords who think it's wacky to sign a lease 10 months in advance," she said.
Jim Nogle, owner of Illini Manor, said he would prefer that lease signing not start early in the academic year; however, he said he has to respond to what the market dictates.
"It seems every year, it has gotten earlier and earlier and earlier," Nogle said. "It's harder on the landlords because we have to figure out our costs earlier and sometimes we guess wrong."
Robert Dunn, senior in Engineering, said students often resort to knocking on apartment doors as early as the first day of classes in order to secure living arrangements for the following year through a "passdown." He added he supports the resolution.
"Freshman year, you meet people in the dorms and have to decide who you want to live with right away," he said.
Although he is in favor for second-semester lease signing, Nogel said he is not sure that government regulation is the best solution.
"I'm not one in favor of government control like that," Nogel said. "I am in favor that if there is a way to start the leasing process later in the year, it is advantageous for both landlords and students."
Finding roommates six short weeks into the semester can spell disaster for students who study abroad, develop roommate problems or do not end up returning to campus.
"For freshmen, this is really vital," Patt said.
Patt added that another problem with the current leasing situation is that many landlords are still distributing the previous tenants' security deposits when it is time to start showing again.
"I know there are landlords who think it's wacky to sign a lease 10 months in advance," she said.
Jim Nogle, owner of Illini Manor, said he would prefer that lease signing not start early in the academic year; however, he said he has to respond to what the market dictates.
"It seems every year, it has gotten earlier and earlier and earlier," Nogle said. "It's harder on the landlords because we have to figure out our costs earlier and sometimes we guess wrong."
Robert Dunn, senior in Engineering, said students often resort to knocking on apartment doors as early as the first day of classes in order to secure living arrangements for the following year through a "passdown." He added he supports the resolution.
"Freshman year, you meet people in the dorms and have to decide who you want to live with right away," he said.
Although he is in favor for second-semester lease signing, Nogel said he is not sure that government regulation is the best solution.
"I'm not one in favor of government control like that," Nogel said. "I am in favor that if there is a way to start the leasing process later in the year, it is advantageous for both landlords and students."
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